Engine Swap

[jgeorg]

I have a Neon Sport with a 2.0 L DOHC engine that is on its way out. My wife uses it for short trips around home. Just want to know if going from a DOHC to SOHC is a simple bolt on and if any year 95 - 99 can be used. If she get 2 - 3 more years that will be fine.

[das2123]

It's easy but not real simple. 95 and 96 have a different PCM to control the engine as well as the difference of SOHC and DOHC. What year is your wife's car?

[jgeorg]

It's a 98.

One mechanic told me that he has done this but the car never seemed to run right. It mentioned that the fuel pressures are different and may affect the car performance and ability to pass emissions testing.

[das2123]

You can swap in a 95-99 engine, but I'd look for a 98-99 engine so the engine harness would be the same. So as to keep it simpler.

[jgeorg]

Any experience how it will run after the swap. Will I still need a new pcm if I use a 98-99 engine?

[das2123]

Depends on the engine you swap in there, but it should run fine. And you won't need a different PCM if you use a 97-99 engine. If you do use a 97 engine, you will have to either get the 97 engine harness of be prepared to splice or swap in your sensors.